Wanderlust - aj jaeger, November 7, 2016 to May 8, 2017
A mixed media Installation at the Satellite Space of the Kelowna Art Gallery
in the Departure Lounge of the Kelowna International Airport
Curatorial Statement
'The image of the heart – the classic Valentine shape with its pleasing symmetrical form – has become ubiquitous, although its origins are obscure. It has appealed to so many artists making paintings and sculptures, as well as to illustrators designing cards or other materials. We recognize it as an emoticon: Brad heart Jane! So it is easy to see its appeal to Vernon-based artist Angelika Jaeger (aj) for her commission at the Kelowna Art Gallery’s satellite space at the Kelowna International Airport in the well-wishing area of the departures wing, where people are saying goodbye to loved ones. To Jaeger, who has a strong background in sculpture, the heart shape provided a natural jumping off point to explore rendering its form in various materials: woven willow branches, ribbons, old unwound reels of film, and felt, for example. She will have seven three-dimensional hearts, joined by a thin red line to unite them against their backdrop. Visitors to the area might ponder on the identical shape and scale of the hearts, yet their vastly differing materials – perhaps a metaphor for the human heart, in all its mutability and vulnerability.'
Liz Wylie, Curator of Kelowna Art Gallery
Liz Wylie, Curator of Kelowna Art Gallery
Stages of the works for the 'Wanderlust' Installation
‘Wanderlust’ by Angelika Jaeger
Kelowna International Airport, November 2016 - May 2017
By definition ‘Wanderlust’ means a strong desire, a longing, a sense of being drawn to something special, like travel.
Within this site-specific piece of art I have been investigating the relationships between connecting and separating, similarity and difference, image and self.
This display exhibits 7 heart shaped figures that are connected by a red line acting as a metaphor for the “connectedness” between all human hearts.
I would like the viewers to allow themselves to let the piece evoke their own emotions, however here is my conceptualization in order to direct people’s curiosity.
These carefully chosen materials act as a metaphor for the deeper meaning of these hearts.
Purity in Oneself - an all white paper heart begins the series and represents the blank canvas from which we begin to create our life
Strength in Unity - this heart assemblage of 2 sheets of metal braided with copper wire shows unity - as we work together we get stronger
Connecting the Difference – these strips of painted canvas are woven into this heart to represent our diversity and our connectedness
Life on a Reel – super 8 film is mounted onto this heart to showcase the history we all carry with us and the personal story/movie we are creating
The Pulse in All of Us – pieces of cheesecloth are layered over an illuminated heart to show our desire to live with an open heart, all the while understanding the need to protect what makes us so vulnerable
Gratefulness for Nature – these willow branches come together in this heart to remind us of our connection to nature and our need to feel grounded and safely rooted
Loose to Extensive – from the original form of wool to the lively material of wet felt that was pulled and shaped into this heart, it shows how things may come to us in one form but may be transformed into another …so too shall we experience our lives
And a little of my personal philosophy …
“It is not so much a matter of where you take your art…but where your art takes you.” I want these pieces to touch people and allow them to experience a spiritual, spontaneous reaction. I hope the travellers who pass ‘Wanderlust’ can feel the heart connection. I hope that each heart will evoke various emotions and feelings that will resonate. Mindful of the way art touches everyone differently I hope that every viewer will remember these hearts and how they related to their personal life journey.
It is with an open heart that I share my art…
Angelika Jaeger
Kelowna International Airport, November 2016 - May 2017
By definition ‘Wanderlust’ means a strong desire, a longing, a sense of being drawn to something special, like travel.
Within this site-specific piece of art I have been investigating the relationships between connecting and separating, similarity and difference, image and self.
This display exhibits 7 heart shaped figures that are connected by a red line acting as a metaphor for the “connectedness” between all human hearts.
I would like the viewers to allow themselves to let the piece evoke their own emotions, however here is my conceptualization in order to direct people’s curiosity.
These carefully chosen materials act as a metaphor for the deeper meaning of these hearts.
Purity in Oneself - an all white paper heart begins the series and represents the blank canvas from which we begin to create our life
Strength in Unity - this heart assemblage of 2 sheets of metal braided with copper wire shows unity - as we work together we get stronger
Connecting the Difference – these strips of painted canvas are woven into this heart to represent our diversity and our connectedness
Life on a Reel – super 8 film is mounted onto this heart to showcase the history we all carry with us and the personal story/movie we are creating
The Pulse in All of Us – pieces of cheesecloth are layered over an illuminated heart to show our desire to live with an open heart, all the while understanding the need to protect what makes us so vulnerable
Gratefulness for Nature – these willow branches come together in this heart to remind us of our connection to nature and our need to feel grounded and safely rooted
Loose to Extensive – from the original form of wool to the lively material of wet felt that was pulled and shaped into this heart, it shows how things may come to us in one form but may be transformed into another …so too shall we experience our lives
And a little of my personal philosophy …
“It is not so much a matter of where you take your art…but where your art takes you.” I want these pieces to touch people and allow them to experience a spiritual, spontaneous reaction. I hope the travellers who pass ‘Wanderlust’ can feel the heart connection. I hope that each heart will evoke various emotions and feelings that will resonate. Mindful of the way art touches everyone differently I hope that every viewer will remember these hearts and how they related to their personal life journey.
It is with an open heart that I share my art…
Angelika Jaeger
A special THANK YOU to my friends, who helped when I was unknowing of the materials and their trades:
Doug Alcock - Metal Artist- and Strong Advisor
Hayley Halliwell-McDougall - Inspirerer and Kind Soul
Byron Johnston - Sculptor and Encouraging Mentor
Judith Mueller - Fabric Artist and Art friend
Brigitte Stass - 'Nothing we can't do together Friend'
This project, would have not come together without these fine indivuduals in my life.
Doug Alcock - Metal Artist- and Strong Advisor
Hayley Halliwell-McDougall - Inspirerer and Kind Soul
Byron Johnston - Sculptor and Encouraging Mentor
Judith Mueller - Fabric Artist and Art friend
Brigitte Stass - 'Nothing we can't do together Friend'
This project, would have not come together without these fine indivuduals in my life.
Please checkout the Blog from my friend Jessica Balfour at http://jessicabalfour.com/aj-jaeger/
Jessica.... thank you for your kind words and your beautiful photography.
Jessica.... thank you for your kind words and your beautiful photography.
media releases:
OKANAGAN ICON Winter 2016/2017
YLW Connection Winter 2016/2017
May 8th, 2017
'Wanderlust' is to be leaving the Kelowna International Airport, after 6 very attentive months, many of you, friends to strangers walked by and stopped and allowed this to touch you, hopefully in your heart....
I want to thank you all for making my heart soar...I am sure you will see it come 'wander around again'.....
'Wanderlust' is to be leaving the Kelowna International Airport, after 6 very attentive months, many of you, friends to strangers walked by and stopped and allowed this to touch you, hopefully in your heart....
I want to thank you all for making my heart soar...I am sure you will see it come 'wander around again'.....
Permanent Home for 'Wanderlust' in the beautiful 'Commons' building at UBC-Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
I am very pleased to have found the perfect home for my large sculpture pieces 'Wanderlust' 6 of the original 7 hearts have found their final space. If I may say in all my humbleness, they look stunning, mostly due to the help of the Susan Belton, persistent curator at the time and Philipp Wyness, builder extraordinaire . thank you to you two and all at UBC-Okanagan, who were involved to make this installation a permanent one.
I am very pleased to have found the perfect home for my large sculpture pieces 'Wanderlust' 6 of the original 7 hearts have found their final space. If I may say in all my humbleness, they look stunning, mostly due to the help of the Susan Belton, persistent curator at the time and Philipp Wyness, builder extraordinaire . thank you to you two and all at UBC-Okanagan, who were involved to make this installation a permanent one.
A special Thank you goes to Deborah Buszard, Vice-Chancellor of UBC-Okanagan and Bryce Traister, Dean of the Faculty of Critical and Creative Studies and Susan Belton, Curator of UBC-Okanagan. January 2020